loitering
loitering — noun
1. a crime that happens when someone stays in a public area without a clear purpose
a crime that happens when someone stays in a public area without a clear purpose, and the police believe they may be planning to do something against the law
The police arrested three teenagers for loitering outside the shopping mall after midnight.
arrested for loitering outside [place]
Store owners in the neighbourhood complained about people loitering near their shop entrances.
complained about loitering near [place]
Under local laws, the officer can ask anyone loitering in the park to move along.
A young man was cautioned by the police for loitering near the train station with no valid ticket.
- suspicious presence
phrase used in police reports rather than a single word
- trespassing
related but different — trespassing means being on private property without permission
文法句型
be charged with loitering
accused of loitering
用法筆記
Frequently appears in legal contexts and police reports. The exact definition varies by jurisdiction — some areas require proof of intent to commit a crime, while others consider loitering an offence by itself.
常見錯誤
loitering — verb
1. to move or do a task at a very slow speed, especially by stopping often when you
to move or do a task at a very slow speed, especially by stopping often when you should be making progress
Theo loitered on his way to school, stopping to watch birds and pick up stones.
loitered on [one's] way to [place]
Instead of finishing the report, Mateo loitered by the water cooler chatting with colleagues.
loitered by [place] chatting
The group of hikers kept loitering along the trail, taking photos when they should have kept moving.
Kwame loitered over his breakfast so long that he missed the morning bus.
- hurry
to move or act with speed
文法句型
loiter + adverb of place
loiter + on/over/in
用法筆記
This sense focuses on slowness or delay, unlike sense 2 (HANG AROUND) which emphasises having no purpose at all. Object is typically an implied destination or task, not a place.
常見錯誤
2. to stay in a place with no clear goal, often simply because you have nothing els
to stay in a place with no clear goal, often simply because you have nothing else to do or are waiting for something
Groups of students loitered around the library steps between classes every morning.
loitered around [place]
Elena loitered near the cafe entrance, hoping to run into her old friend from high school.
loitered near [place] hoping to [do something]
The cat loitered outside the kitchen door every evening, waiting for scraps of fish.
Instead of going home right away, the children loitered in the playground until it grew dark.
A few fans loitered by the stage door after the concert, hoping for a photograph.
- hang around
much more common in everyday speech; less formal
- linger
suggests staying longer than intended, often with a hint of hesitation or reluctance to leave
文法句型
loiter + adverb of place
loiter + about/around + noun
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (DAWDLE), this sense is about having no purpose rather than moving slowly. Unlike the noun sense (LEGAL OFFENCE), this verb form is not inherently criminal — it describes everyday situations.
常見錯誤
3. to walk or travel more slowly than the people or group you are with, so that you
to walk or travel more slowly than the people or group you are with, so that you fall to the back
The youngest child loitered behind the rest of the family during the long walk through the museum.
loitered behind [group] during [activity]
One runner loitered at the back of the pack, unable to keep up with the faster pace.
loitered at the back of [group]
An old dog loitered behind its owner, stopping every few metres to sniff the ground.
Deepak loitered behind the tour group because he kept stopping to read the signs in each room.
- lag behind
much more common; can also be used for non-physical contexts like progress or technology
- trail
suggests being at the back in a race or competition as well as physically
- fall behind
common in both physical and metaphorical senses
文法句型
loiter + behind + noun
用法筆記
This sense is the least common of the three verb senses. In modern English, 'lag behind' or 'fall behind' is far more frequent for this meaning.